A study of reference and anaphora in children's narrative

This paper reports the results of an experimental study designed to provide insights into the development of children’s ability to introduce a character into a story, and to maintain reference to that character and any additional characters. Previous studies have suggested that the appropriate linguistic devices used for this purpose, such as definite/indefinite articles and anaphoric pronouns are not acquired until relatively late. Four groups were tested, three groups consisting of children aged eight, six and four, and an adult group which was included in order to provide a control. The results indicated that none of the groups of children had attained adult competence in their control of reference and anaphoric relations. In comparing the results of this study with other similar studies, it was also suggested that the nature of the materials used to elicit the narratives can influence the conclusions drawn from the results